2d Renderings from 2d wire elevations

[jeremiah]

Hi.  I currently do architectural drawings for a builder.  I do all my drawings right now in 2d with AutoCAD Architecture 2016.  I would like to offer "life like" rederings for their sales sheets. Elevations only.  Is this possible with the program I am using? Seems for the money it would be. Or will I still need to use those other programs (photoshop, etc..) to do this?

Thanks,

J

[dbroad]

Generating 2d renderings from 2d linework is the most difficult approach but, if you know how to add shadows by manual projection, then hatch, superhatch, and rmat should help.  In order to use materials, you would need to convert closed boundaries to regions.  For finishing touches, photoshop can still help.

[ntellery]

Elevation renderings are old tech that come from simply hand rendering a drawn elevation.  There are people who do that using photoshop (I use Gimp.org) and you can buy or find textures and treemaps all over the internet.  It's not something that ACA supports although you could do it.

I render all my projects in ACA but I have modelled them already so it's easy to throw some grass, garden beds and trees into the mix , position a camera and run a quick render. Mine are not high end but are quite decent and puts me ahead of the opposition.

It's going to take you some time to learn to actually use ACA like it was intended, to virtually build the project using the 3D componants first but assuming you've done it accurately, all your elevations are now done and obtained with the elevation tool.  

It takes longer to 'build' the model but then 'reports' like elevations and sections are obtained much quicker.

I now also model kitchens and bathrooms and again use the elevation tools to produce the internal elevations. I have not manually drawn an elevation for long time.  Many use the tools to create the elevation and then explode it and edit to refine it but my aussie elevations are simple enough to create from the model. If I update the model, I can refresh the elevation and it's accurate.

If you were to go the 2d elevation route, personally I think that puts them behind about a decade (seems like they are behind further than that).  In my town, 3D renderings are very common even if the cheaper variety are not too great.

Here's my blog to show what can be achieved in ACA rendering.  For really high end you can step up to Max but I cannot afford the time to learn and clients won't pay extra.  My renders take around 10mins to overnight if I have time.  
All the building modelling is just a part of producing the elevations so it's not extra.  To add the trees and grass takes only 20mins.
Add a camera, adjust to the view you want, set a render to run and go get a cuppa.
My point is I don't do much more than I need to do for the 2D drawings and I have great 3D renders to present and my clients love them.
http://grandesignwa.blogspot.com.au/

[jeremiah]

Thank so much. Really gave me a reality check for where I need to be with
my 3D. So would you say that most of the construction plans for builders
are drawn in 3D and then printed in 2d for field? I think I might need to
start upping my game with this 3D stuff. I have been doing 2D for over a
decade now and have fallen behind(hence why I bought the Architecture). I
have played with the 3D features but haven't commited.

When drawing new plans, do you draw a 2D CAD drawing to figure out your
design, then come back with your 3D tools to overlap the layers?(walls,
doors, windows, etc.) I guess since you have mentioned that 3D is the way to
go I would like to know the best way to start.

Thanks for all you have contributed,

Jeremiah

[ntellery · Accepted solution]

You need to try out some tutorials from the help menu or watch some youtube video's on using ACA.

The system is clever enough to automate what you are referring to.

I select a wall tool on a menu and click two points (like you would create a line) to create a full 3d wall. In plan view it appears 2d.  In elevation or iso/perspective it is 3D with a height.  It also follows the 'wall object' rules so if you used a solid wall or a cavity or componant wall it may have various componants such as external brick or stone, , moisture barrier, cavity with insulation, internal skin or brick or frame, plaster - all from just drawing a line. You could also select that wall and change it to a completely different wall type.   If you select a window tool and click on the wall it will cut in a window with full spec.

This wall and window is now available to create auto elevations, sections, scheduling, 3D renderings etc.  

I can also automatically show this wall in plan view in any number of ways.  Just a bold outline and fill for presentations, show each leaf for construction, and light outline for backgrounds for electrical and service layouts. Automatically.

There is so much that is automated allowing you to spend time on things like rendering etc.

I say this only to illustrate. You need to do some serious reading and watching to understand the process but hopefully you get the power.  Lines and circles are out.  (actually I still use lines etc to indicate something that I don't need to model.

Take a few weeks and set time aside to watch and then play to reinforce.  Don't commit to a project too soon and not one you have a deadline on.  Perhaps your own project that is down the track.  I always struggle to spend time on projects that dont have a purpose.   The nice thing about ACA as opposed to Revit is you are in a familiar environment.  If you get stuck and have a deadline you can always revert to Autocad 2d.  But that is also a trap.  With Revit there is only the way of modelling.  Many using ACA don't test it's real power because they don't learn it's full potential and they fall back to 2d habits.

BEWARE of customising!!!  Too many (me included) customise to suit themselves and make things a lot harder.  I now customise but because I now know what to touch and what to accept and leave alone.  I gave myself such headaches in early days.

I found archidigm.com an excellent teaching resource.

http://www.archidigm.com/classroom/index.htm

and in particular

http://www.archidigm.com/classroom/adt_4_development_guide/adt_5_dg_cover.htm

If you are on sub you have access to Autodesk Virtual University and the back catalogue of awesome videos from masters.

There is little taught these days but the back cat. is worth viewing.

http://architects-desktop.blogspot.com/  (have to sort thru Revit and ACA posts but lots of excellent articles.)

my own blog

http://ausaca.blogspot.com/
I have my own rants.  I think the OOTB process is convoluted for residential projects and I have my own process so beware of that when watching my stuff.  I'd suggest learn the OOTB method first so you understand it.

[dgorsman]

Shorter version: the 3D model is the "single source of truth".  Everything (or as much as possible) derives from the model - drawings, quantities, images, and so on.  Construction ("2D") drawings come after the model is approved and locked down.  Some who come from a more traditional 2D drawing environment have trouble  thinking in 3D; they want to start with the finished product then back-model based on that.  You need to flip that process, model as it is then pull the end-products from the model.